Saiunkoku: The Age of Silver: Feed Them On Your Dreams

[branchandroot]

Fic post from my archive.

Feed Them On Your Dreams

The Emperor is dying; Seien talks with both his fathers. Drama with Angst, I-4 (Significant Novel Spoilers)

Seien's anger made his voice a growl. "You spent years and years fighting to reunify the country, to break the power of the great clans until imperial law ruled everywhere again." His control slipped and he slammed a hand against the wall. "And you almost lost it all just because you ignored what was happening in your own inner courts! Why?!"

Comments

[sparrow-wings.livejournal.com]

"Don't You Ever Ask Them Why" -- ... I'm with Seien on this one: Senka's an asshole.

Although, in canon-continuity, Senka didn't entirely succeed, did he? If the Kou family could still halt the country on behalf of Reishin and Shuurei, and the Ran family could have propped it up indefinitely (if they wanted to).

"And Know They Love You" -- I like the sense of ceremony you've created here, the implication that Shouka and Seien's relations have become more adult, but not less loving.

[branchandroot]

Thank you!

*wry* Senka is definitely a fine example of the old Legalist philosophy, that's for darn sure.

And Shouka's sacrifice, along with his grandmother's, does seem to have bought the Kou that much, at least; not all their power was broken, and once there was peace they worked a good deal of influence back up. The Ran I'm still wondering about. *wants more canon clues very badly*

I heart Shouka so very much. Honestly, I think he's the only reason Seien will be a good Emperor.

[sparrow-wings.livejournal.com]

I haven't any idea about the Ran. I think in the anime Shuuei said they prefer to stay out of active politics? Not that Shou and Senka would have been fooled by that. Maybe it had something to do with their intelligence networks, or maybe their leader just wasn't that much of a threat.

Honestly, I think he's the only reason Seien will be a good Emperor. As opposed to one entirely focussed on Shuurei and Ryuuki, do you mean? I do think he needs an authority figure he respects, and not just servants, people to protect, and the elder statesmen.

Oh, I meant to ask -- has Shoukun died by now? I mean, I assume so, since she hasn't shown up after "Peaches and Thorns", but I can't recall anyone mentioning it.

[branchandroot]

*nods* Shoukun died on schedule. Since we know so very little about her I haven't written it in as a story; that may be something I can go back and fill in later.

[grey-damaskena.livejournal.com]

"on schedule" just seems . . . ::very amused:: Oh, dear. I have a very odd sense of humor, I am tickled quite pink.

[branchandroot]

*giggles* The ruthlessness of authors, yeah.